Throughout the years, Melissa Haupt has made a point of permanently displaying her students’ artwork on the walls of Riley Avenue Elementary School.

Upon entering the Calverton building, guests are greeted by mosaics depicting the four seasons and, in a nod to the Riverhead School District’s mascot, blue waves. A tree made from tiles that each child helped create adorns a space in the library, while large butterflies appear to fly up the walls near the courtyard.

This anti-bullying mural was unveiled at Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton Thursday. (Credit: Rachel Young)

Riley Avenue Elementary School fourth-grader Jon Vasquez said he liked watching the character mural go from “nothing to something.” His classmate Lily Kaelin said anyone who lays eyes on the colorful painting is “reminded to be kind.” Art teacher Melissa Haupt called it “inspiring.” (more…)